TOP 2003 "FISH OHIO" WATERS NAMED: OH

Article Posted: March 29, 2004

Columbus, OH - With 2.25 million Lake Erie acres, 451 miles of theOhio River, 40,000 miles of streams, some 200 inland lakes and thousands ofprivate ponds, Ohio anglers have great opportunities to catch fish thatqualify for the "Fish Ohio" recognition program, according to the OhioDepartment of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.The "Fish Ohio" program recognizes anglers for noteworthy catches in19 fish species. Last year, 13,528 anglers from across Ohio and 38 otherstates were recognized for their "Fish Ohio" catches. Since 1976, more than350,000 anglers have been recognized. LAKE ERIE: Top spot for walleye, yellow perch and smallmouth bassTrophy walleye received the highest number of entries with more than3,000 and Lake Erie is the top place to catch them, followed by the Maumeeand Sandusky rivers. Catches of yellow perch were second with more than2,000 entries with Lake Erie again the leading area for catches followed byLake La Su An in Williams County, Pymatuning Lake in Ashtabula County, andMogadore Reservoir in Portage County. Lake Erie is also the top lake forsmallmouth bass, followed by Alum Creek Lake in Delaware County and theLicking River. INLAND LAKES: Home of trophy saugeye and muskiePopular inland catches included saugeye and muskie. Buckeye Lake inFairfield, Perry, and Licking counties and Indian Lake in Logan County ledthe list for saugeye catches followed by Piedmont, Atwood, and Alum Creeklakes. The top "Fish Ohio" lake for muskie catches was Leesville Lake inCarroll County, followed by Clear Fork Reservior, Salt Fork Lake, WestBranch Reservoir, and Alum Creek Lake.PRIVATE PONDS: Best places for panfish, crappie, channel cat and largemouthbassThe majority of the entries for sunfish, crappies, channel catfish,and largemouth bass were caught in private ponds. These species are alsoplentiful in most public waterways. Mosquito Lake in Trumbull County ledthe "Fish Ohio" entries in the crappie category with Hoover Reservoir, WestBranch Reservoir, Grand Lake St. Mary's, and Pymatuning Lake completing thelist.Lake Erie topped the list for qualifying catches of channel catfishin a public waterway. In addition to Lake Erie, the Ohio River, HooverReservoir, Atwood Lake, and the Grand River were hot spots for channelcatfish action. The top "Fish Ohio" lake for largemouth bass was MogadoreReservoir, with Portage Lakes, LaDue Reservoir, Clear Fork Reservoir,Mosquito Lake, and Lake Erie noting catches of that species. Each angler with a qualifying "Fish Ohio" catch receives acertificate and lapel pin. The 2003 pin featured a channel catfish; the 2004pin will display a walleye.There is also a Master Angler category for individuals who catchfour "Fish Ohio" qualifying fish in a single year. The Master Angler pin islike the "Fish Ohio" pin, except it is gold in color.Anyone interested in submitting an entry in the "Fish Ohio" programshould fill out an application. Forms are available by calling1-800-WILDLIFE or visiting www.ohiodnr.com .

Species List and Minimum Length Requirements To Obtain "Fish Ohio"Recognition